Turtles & Beaches - Overland Trip
1 week: San Jose to San Jose (IMT-LTTB)
Intro
Costa Rica is a nature lover’s paradise with an overwhelming breadth of scenery and wildlife. There are lush rainforest that teems with birdlife and perfect white tropical beaches. We take in the best of both in this short escape.Group Size
Max 15Activities
Boat excursions in Tortuguero, hiking in National Parks, optional snorkellingAccommodation
7 nights tourist class hotels and lodgesTransport
Bus, boatAirport Transfer
To hotel day 1Fully Escorted
By Imaginative Traveller tour leader (except days 7-8), services of guides in Tortuguero NPEntrance Fees
Included for Tortuguero NPDay 2 - Itinerary change
In January 2009 a 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit Costa Rica, where the epicentre was located 40Km from San Jose, near the popular tourist destination of "La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Poas Volcano", near the Poas Volcano National Park.
Only this area has been affected, all other tourist areas in Costa Rica are functioning normally. However, we have amended our excursion on Day 2 of the tour, from La Paz Waterfall Gardens and/or Poas Volcano as it may take some time for this area to get back to normal. Instead we will be visiting the Irazu volcano.
Irazú Volcano
We take the Pan-American Highway South, to start ascending the large “Iztaru”. The winding road travels through fertile lands cultivated with all kinds of vegetables as we enjoy a lovely panoramic view. At the top of the volcano you can observe the main craters and on a clear day both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans can be seen.
As we descend to the city of Cartago we will stop at the Virgin of the Angels Basilica which is an important site of pilgrimage for many believers.
Itineraries
Day 1,SAN JOSEArrive and transfer to hotel.
Day 2,SAN JOSEToday we head out to the smoking Poas Volcano, in the heart of the lush tropical rainforest. In the afternoon we return to San Jose. (B) Please see note re itinerary change at bottom of page
Day 3,SAN JOSE - TORTUGUERO NPTravel by bus and boat into the Tortuguero National Park, home to howler monkeys, brightly coloured parrots and a wide variety of other wildlife. This is where green and leatherback turtles come to lay their eggs once a year (June-September). We spend two nights in a lodge in the rainforest. (BLD)
Day 4,TORTUGUERO NPWe spend a full day exploring the jungle waterways of the park by boat. (BLD)
Day 5,TORTUGUERO NP – CAHUITAWe leave the rainforest behind and head by boat and bus to Cahuita National Park on the Caribbean coast. Cahuita's main attractions are its white sandy beaches, miles of coconut groves, tranquil seas and coral reefs. (B)
Day 6,CAHUITAA full free day. You can explore the National Park where white-faced monkeys and sloth are very common, go snorkelling on the impressive reef, or simply relax on the beach. In the evening we can visit Cahuita village where there are lots of little restaurants and bars. (B)
Day 7,CAHUITA - SAN JOSELeaving the Caribbean coast behind, we travel back to San Jose. (B)
Day 8,SAN JOSETour ends. (B)
Last updated: 22nd October 2009
I am interested in this trip!
Download PDF with trip and operator details
